aint Bridget (or Brigid) of Kildare is one of the three major patron saints of Ireland along with Saint Patrick and Saint Columba. Saint Bridget’s faith and labors for the Lord are remembered among the Irish people through prayers, sacred places, blessings and customs. Saint Bridget was an extraordinary woman of faith; strong in her mission, loyal to the Lord, faithful to the Church, generous to the poor and hospitable to missionaries. Saint Bridget laid strong foundations for the Church in Ireland. Her feast day is February 1, the first day of the Celtic Spring.

Sunday Mass Schedule Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass

Sunday, 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Weekday Mass Schedule Monday & Tuesday, 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. Thursday & Friday, 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, 9:00 a.m.

Holy Days 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Confessions Saturdays, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

First Friday Adoration following 12:00 p.m. Mass

Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet

Eucharistic Adoration Tuesdays during Confessions from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Parish Contacts Father Paul Grankauskas, Pastor

John Sengewalt, Director, Religious Education dre@stbridgetberryville.org

Youth Ministry omy@stbridgetberryville.org

Stacy Sefton, Director, Music Program music@stbridgetberryville.org

Jenny Sorenson, Organist jtsorenson@comcast.net

JoAn Drake, EMHC and Lector Scheduling 540-398-9324

Becky Jackson, Sacristan 540-955-1715

Parish Office

Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

540-277-2943 540-277-2945 (fax)

office@stbridgetberryville.org

Baptism

Contact parish office for information.

Marriage

Contact parish priest at least six (6) months prior to proposed date of the wedding.

Rosary

The Rosary is prayed after the 12:00 p.m. Mass on the First Friday each month.

Prayer List

Contact our sacristan, Becky Jackson.

Hospitalized and Homebound

Contact the parish office so that hospitalized and homebound parishioners may receive pastoral care.

FISH Food Collection

In the narthex on the second Sunday each month.

Faith Direct

Faithdirect.net or 866-507-8757. Please use church code VA605.

Website

Stbridgetberryville.org

Bulletin

The bulletin deadline is 12:00 p.m. Monday.

Email bulletin announcements to bulletin@stbridgetberryville.org.

Religious Education

Religious Education classes are held from the Sunday following Labor Day until the first Sunday in May. Classes are Sundays from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Knights of Columbus Council 16938

Michael Murrow, Grand Knight knights@stbridgetberryville.org Meet the second Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. in Hobert Hall. Men’s Club George Darnell men@stbridgetberryville.org Meet the last Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. in Hobert Hall. Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m. Women’s Group Ruth Hayes women@stbridgetberryville.org Meet the first Tuesday each month following 12:00 p.m. Mass.

July 5, 2020

† For the repose of the soul

Monday, July 6 12:00 p.m. † Joseph Francis Revelli

Tuesday, July 7 12:00 p.m. Matthew Lewis

Wednesday, July 8 9:00 a.m. Sarah Piescik

Thursday, July 9 12:00 p.m. Frances Potter

Friday, July 10 12:00 p.m. Mauricio Portillo

Saturday, July 11 9:00 a.m. Sarah Piescik 5:30 p.m. Parish Family

Sunday, July 12 9:00 a.m. Father Paul

12:00 p.m. † Adam McArthur

Please remember the following

people in your prayers.

Laurie Custidero, Becky Blair, Fr. Michael Dobbins, Jim Willis, Matthew Lewis, David Smith, Jack Cameron, John Caroselli,

Fred Curtis, Michael Boyd, Tony Tringale, Jim Lewandowski,

Carl Stohl, Sue Fleming, Connie Guevremont,

Douglas Levy and Victoria White.

Please contact Becky Jackson

540-955-1715 to be added or taken off

the prayer list.

St. Bridget of Ireland

I am writing this as I get ready to head home to Pittsburgh to visit mom. I hope this finds all of you doing well.

I thought I would give a little update on how things are going since we have begun celebrating public Masses once more.

First, I apologize for the lack of livestreamed Masses these past few weeks. Peter Russman, who helps me with the streaming, was on vacation. It is his equipment that is used, so we could not stream the Masses. Since he has returned, we have had technical difficulties with the internet and now his computer. We have ordered equipment for the parish which will enable me to handle the streaming on my own. I do not have a definite installation date, but it should be in the next week or so. Keep an eye on the parish website for updates. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. We will try to resume the streamed Masses as soon as possible.

As for the public Masses, numbers seem to fluctuate from week to week. Last Saturday, we had about 70 people at the Mass, up from 30 when he had the first Mass four weeks ago. Sunday 9 a.m. Mass had about 60 or so people, down from the 70 the previous Sunday. The noon Mass had about 60, which matches the previous week.

For the most part, people have been following the rules about wearing masks, which is greatly appreciated. I know they are not comfortable and not everybody likes wearing them, but as your pastor, I have to take into consideration the spiritual and physical well-being of people who come to church. I am the only priest here, and as many people have reminded me, I need to watch out for my health as well. Thank you for your cooperation with this. As we hear in the news, there are parts of the country that are experiencing a new surge of Coronavirus cases and new closings. It is a privilege for us to be able to gather in the church for Mass.

I know some people are concerned about people receiving Communion on the tongue as opposed to the hand. We know that the Coronavirus is spread primarily through droplets from exhalation, so it seems a natural concern, especially for older parishioners who are at greater risk. Some do not feel comfortable receiving after the person ahead of them receives on the tongue. I can not mandate receiving in the hand, although I strongly encourage people to consider it while the virus is still prevalent. One possible solution which has been suggested is to have people who wish to receive in the hand come forward first and then those who wish to receive in the tongue would follow. I will take this into consideration.

A hearty thank you has to go out to our parish cleaning crew, Roxana and Imelda. They have been putting in extra hours on Saturdays and Sundays to make sure the church is cleaned before and after Masses. I also hired a janitorial crew to come in on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings for additional cleaning and disinfection.

Some might say what we are doing is overkill, but so many people want to come back to Mass. They want to receive the Eucharist, but they are anxious. I am doing my best to ensure the safety of those who come to church. We can never completely eliminate the risk, but I do not wish to be lax, either. Again, I thank you for your cooperation with the rules we are setting down. Like you, I long for the day when we will not need to do these things. Perhaps it would not be a bad idea for us to fast and pray for those seeking a vaccine.

Again, thank you and God bless you always.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Paul Grankauskas

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 5, 2020

St. Veronica Giuliani

Veronica was born December 27, 1660 in Mercatelli, Italy. It is said that when her mother Benedetta was dying she called her five daughters to her bedside and entrusted each of them to one of the five wounds of Jesus. Veronica was entrusted to the wound below Christ’s heart. At the age of 17, Veronica joined the Poor Clares directed by the Capuchins. Her father had wanted her to marry, but she convinced him to allow her to become a nun. In her first years in the monastery, she worked in the kitchen, infirmary, sacristy, and also served as portress. At the age of 34, Veronica was made novice mistress, a position she held for 22 years. When she was 37, Veronica received the stigmata. Life was not the same after that. Church authorities in Rome wanted to test Veronica’s authenticity and so conducted an investigation. She lost the office of novice mistress temporarily and was not allowed to attend Mass except on Sundays or holy days. Through all of this Veronica did not become bitter, and the investigation eventually restored her as novice mistress. Though she protested against it, at the age of 56, Veronica was elected abbess, an office she held for 11 years until her death. Veronica was very devoted to the Eucharist and to the Sacred Heart. Her Feast Day is July 9.

Confessions: Confessions are Mondays, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the church. Confessions will be available, and Adoration will conclude with Benediction. Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: “Let everyone heed what they hear.” Is the Lord inviting you to know, love and serve Him more closely in the priesthood or consecrated life. Call Father Michael Isenberg (703) 841-2514, or write: michael.isenberg@arlingtondiocese.org. Ushering at Mass: If you are interested in becoming an usher, please call or email the parish office at 540-277-2943 or office@stbridgetberryville.org. Living Nazareth High School warmly invites you to two talks in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Ignatius of Loyola (each held in Hobert Hall at 6:00 p.m., on their respective feast days). On Thursday, July 16, the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, we will host third order Carmelite Nora Bucy joining us to speak on the Marian devotions of Carmelite saints. Then on Friday, July 31, the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, we will host Fr. Kevin Stolt IVE (one of the spiritual directors for Living Nazareth High School) speaking on Ignatian Spirituality. Both events will feature light refreshments, door prizes, and opportunities for Q&A on both the topic of the evening and the new high school. Admission is free of charge, but donations toward our student scholarship fund would be gratefully accepted. For more details and to RSVP, please call the school at 540-686-1057 or see Living Nazareth High School's Facebook events. Thanks and God bless you. A women’s silent retreat on The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola will take place July 10-12 at San Damiano Spiritual Life Center in White Post, VA. The weekend silent retreat will be preached by the Priests of Miles Christi with spiritual talks and time for personal meditation in silence. Each day there will also be Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, and an opportunity for confessions. For more information email virginia@spiritualexercises.net or call 248-596-9677. You may also register online at https://www.mileschristi.org/event/white-post-va-1/ Thank you for your continued support! Many of you are sending your offertory envelopes in by mail. You can also place your envelopes in the poor box in the back of the church during the week. FaithDirect: As church reopens, we are beginning the summer season. It is during these months that we depend the most on consistant giving. We prayerfully invite you to use FaithDirect to set up a recurring donation or make a one-time gift. Sign up today using your computer, smartphone, or tablet by visiting faith.direct/VA605. It’s an easy way to support St. Bridget all year without writing checks or sending in offertory envelopes. DIVINE MERCY SAID: "My daughter, in this meditation, consider the love of neighbor. Is your love for your neighbor guided by My love? Do you pray for your enemies? Do you wish well to those who have, in one way or another, caused you sorrow or offended you? Know that whatever good you do to any soul, I accept it as if you had done it to Me." (St. Faustina Diary, 1768)

"Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M."

Religious Education: 2020 – 2021 Registration forms have been emailed. Additional forms available in the narthex, in the parish office, and on the website. Registration

is open July 1st – July 31st.

Help Wanted: Catechists for Fifth Grade. Contact John Sengewalt, DRE.

Stay connected with St. Bridget of Ireland from

your home or anywhere. Our Sunday Mass at

12:00 p.m. is streamed on the internet. Go to

our website, stbridgetberryville.org and click

on the button that says “Recorded and Live-

stream Masses.”

Traveling this summer? Go to masstimes.org to

find the schedule of Masses wherever you are!

It’s easy to use, just enter the City and State or

Zip Code and get a listing of local Masses.